Light Up Morland
and the Windows of Light Trail
- 12th-19th February 2022-
…Set alight this winter stillness, birth bright light out of the darkness,
look towards the turning of the newly hatching spring…
From 12th-19th February 2022, a series of magical light-based happenings emerged from the winter darkness in the village of Morland in Cumbria.
“Light Up Morland made me proud to be part of the village. (It was) like bonfire night and Christmas combined!”
School children from Morland opened the event with a parade of recycled lanterns that they made with Morland artist Jenny Brook during workshops at their school. They looked amazing, and formed part of a happening later in the week too.
“Stunning display - well done! Really loved the different areas and fab designs. Great that kids were involved. I loved being part of it, felt magical”
Villagers from Morland also designed, made and lit up special windows as part of the Windows of Light Trail. The beautiful designs included flowers and trees, film and book characters and messages of hope and love. Pictured below is a small handful of the 27 windows that were designed.
“I enjoyed making our window and the Luminosi Tree was beautiful. We’re lucky to live in a place where interesting things happen.”
Despite storms Dudley and Eunice somewhat getting in the way we were happy that all plans were able to go ahead!
Other light installations which appeared during the week included:
The giant Morland Moggy by Kate Brundrett - a huge willow sculpture cat with green eyes which was installed on the roof of the Studio Morland and lit up at night. This happening was a complete surprise for locals and a very well kept secret!
Six big willow lantern mice made by talented 13-17 year olds at our nationally linked Saturday Art Club, led by Donna Campbell. They successfully evaded the Morland Moggy throughout the week!
“(Light Up Morland was) amazing - I joined the tour. Loved little displays, real community feel and very artistic. (It made me) proud to live in Morland, inspired and happy”
Dan Fox’s Luminosi Tree (Morland Tree of Life) on its first visit to Cumbria. The Luminosi Tree is a metal sculpture that transforms at night with moving patterns of light synchronised to a soundscape. Its organic shape looked a little like giant illuminated pulsing jellyfish. Local people enjoyed walking under the canopy of lights and around the trunk.
Interflorescence, dreamed up and made by Morland resident Patti Dawson, which included beautiful lit paper flowers in a multitude of pastel colours springing from the ground on bending metal stems. These looked particularly beautiful on the bench near the river.
Lighting up the village - we used industrial lighting to animate architectural features of the village – creating a rainbow style ‘Balamory’ installation down Water Street, illuminated the church and bridges, and created a drawn line of light along the river. This was particularly atmospheric and spooky on the stormy days of the happening!
Little Worlds (lit jam jars with small ‘worlds’ made in them) hidden throughout the village.
“This is a bit funky for Morland!”
A lit up ‘Feedback Phonebox’ with desk, lampshade, large illuminated interactive buttons with a voiceover explaining the process and specially designed postcards asking for input.
“It was all fabulous and the combination of villagers and professional artists’ work was great. Well done to all involved”
Thank you to the team who made it happen:
Kate Brundrett (Director), Nikki Dawson (Event Manager), Ed Carey (Lighting), Jenny Brook (Windows of Light and the Lantern Project), Dan Fox and Patti Dawson (Light Artists), Jessica Boatright (Marketing/Admin), all of the many local volunteers who helped on the nights and to every villager who designed a window, made a Little World or took part in other ways.
